Digital & technology

Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information why no correction direction was issued under POFMA for an AI-generated YouTube video claiming Lawrence Wong's resignation was imminent and whether the source of such videos would be investigated. Josephine Teo explained that the government did not issue a POFMA correction as the videos contained fabricated claims which were widely recognized as false. Many of these videos were removed by YouTube for violating community guidelines on misinformation. The government plans to investigate the resurgence of similar disinformation while emphasizing the importance of public education and vigilance in verifying online content.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about whether Total Defence exercises have simulated a complete communications blackout and inquired about contingency messaging methods if all digital networks fail. Chan Chun Sing explained that this year's Exercise SG Ready simulated a partial disruption to raise awareness and avoid significant impacts on daily life. He highlighted that multiple communication channels with redundancies are crucial to minimize the risk of a total communications blackout. The exercise included testing contingency channels and using public warning systems to disseminate information through television, radio, and community nodes, but there are no plans to provide battery-powered FM radios to every household. Continuous reviews and improvements of emergency preparedness exercises are planned for future scenarios.

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim questioned whether the government would differentiate penalties for offenses involving sexually explicit images of actual children versus AI-generated material. K Shanmugam clarified that existing laws penalize possession, production, and dissemination of child sexual exploitation material, including AI-generated images, with mandatory imprisonment and discretionary caning. The Penal Code was amended in 2025 to state that prosecution does not need to prove actual child involvement as long as the image resembles a real child. The Ministry of Home Affairs plans to keep penalties consistent, reflecting a strong societal stance on protecting children from sexual exploitation.

He Ting Ru raised concerns about an increase in artificial intelligence-induced psychosis and sought information on the number of cases reported over the past three years and the Ministry's collaborative efforts to address the issue. Ong Ye Kung acknowledged international reports of psychological disturbances linked to intensive AI use but noted that this is not yet an established clinical diagnosis. He stated that there are no clear local trends indicating a rise in these cases, but the Ministry is monitoring the situation due to potential health risks associated with AI and digital media.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin questioned the Ministry of Health's assessment of increased telemedicine and third-party medication delivery, particularly regarding continuity of care and pharmacists' clinical roles. Ong Ye Kung responded that appropriate safeguards are in place for telemedicine, requiring licensed doctors to oversee service providers and compliance with ethical guidelines. Retail pharmacies are regulated to ensure adherence to medication delivery standards, with pharmacists responsible for proper counseling on medication use in all settings.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked if the Ministry of Health plans to provide tracking devices for dementia patients at reduced costs to aid in their safety and caregiving. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry does not recommend routine use of tracking devices due to ethical and privacy concerns. The issue requires careful consideration within a broader care plan, although some community trials are currently in progress.

Jamus Lim asked about the government's tracking of the environmental impact of artificial intelligence, specifically regarding data centre energy consumption and emissions. Josephine Teo referenced a previous related question and explained that while there is no set limit on data centre capacity, the government monitors resource usage with internationally recognized metrics. These metrics inform assessments of new data centre applications, emphasizing resource efficiency. The upcoming Digital Infrastructure Act aims to enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of data centres, with further details to be provided later.

Lee Hong Chuang asked the Prime Minister about the possibility of requiring companies benefiting from tax deductions on AI tools to prioritize retraining workers over retrenchment and whether the government would monitor the effects of AI initiatives on local employment and wages. Jeffrey Siow responded that while companies can receive tax deductions under the Enterprise Innovation Scheme, there are no mandates on workforce impacts to keep the process manageable. However, there are other initiatives, like the Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package, that promote reskilling and job redesign while requiring companies to meet specific objectives for support.

Lee Hong Chuang asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information about tracking productivity growth instead of adoption rates for measuring AI strategy success, the conditionality of grant support based on a governance framework for AI tool purchases, and the establishment of a pre-approval list of AI vendors. Mrs. Josephine Teo stated that the Government tracks productivity impacts and will incorporate these assessments along with adoption rates. She emphasized the importance of effective AI implementation by pre-approving market-tested AI solutions and requiring milestones for grant disbursement. The Government aims to refine grant conditions while avoiding excessive rules that could hinder genuine advancement.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the proportion of polyclinic consultations conducted via telehealth services for 2024 and 2025. Ong Ye Kung reported that telehealth services accounted for about 2% of monthly polyclinic attendances during that period, indicating a modest use partly due to the need for appropriate and safe delivery. Efforts are being made to expand telehealth use and assist patients with technology navigation, in partnership with community organizations. While patient satisfaction with telehealth services is not specifically tracked, feedback is collected to inform service improvements.

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised questions regarding community support services for gaming disorder among young adults, and the need for stricter regulations in the gaming industry. The Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, stated that there are existing counseling and intervention programs available, and highlighted efforts to introduce regulatory measures to protect users, including the Code of Practice for Online Safety. Giam suggested measures like ethical game design requirements and technical workshops to improve digital literacy, while Koh noted that further inquiries about app design should be directed to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information. Koh emphasized the importance of balancing user protection with personal autonomy and the need for evidence-driven regulation.

He Ting Ru raised questions about the ongoing inaccuracies in bus arrival timings, asking for reasons behind the lack of a firm restoration date, any service-level agreement breaches, and updates on the Bus Fleet Management System upgrade. Jeffrey Siow explained that significant physical works for a large portion of the bus fleet were needed to restore the Expected Time of Arrival system, with full restoration achieved on 12 February 2026. He confirmed that financial penalties would be imposed on the third-party vendor as per the service level agreement and noted that the Bus Fleet Management System upgrade is expected to be completed by 2027.

He Ting Ru questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about risk assessments related to inaccuracies in bus arrival timings detected in January 2026, seeking details on assessments, vulnerabilities, and the frequency of audits. Jeffrey Siow responded that the Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) system undergoes risk assessments every two years, with the last one in July 2024 identifying minor issues that were resolved before the disruption. However, the assessment failed to detect the issues that caused the disruption, prompting a review of the risk assessment process for improvement.

Cai Yinzhou raised questions regarding the police's efficiency and methods in locating missing persons, including average response times and the role of social media in resolving cases. K Shanmugam responded that the police do not track average times for locating missing persons, as it varies by case, but prioritize vulnerable individuals, usually finding them within a day. He indicated that police pursue leads through various means, including social media appeals and collaboration with online service providers, but do not formally track the effectiveness of these methods in solving cases.

Elysa Chen asked if the Government has set an upper limit on Singapore's total data centre capacity by 2030, beyond the plan to add at least 300 megawatts of capacity. Josephine Teo responded that there is no predetermined upper limit, as the Government aims to balance resource constraints and environmental commitments while adopting a calibrated growth approach. Assessments for new data centre capacity use metrics like power and water usage effectiveness to ensure resource efficiency. A forthcoming Digital Infrastructure Act will enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of data centres, with more details to be shared later.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised concerns about the rise of cashless-only stores and asked whether the Ministry would consider requiring businesses to accept cash. He also questioned how the Ministry ensures that seniors and youths without bank accounts are not disadvantaged by digital payment systems, and how universal access to basic payment options is maintained. Gan Kim Yong stated that these issues had been addressed in previous discussions related to the Prime Minister's Office.

Cai Yinzhou asked if the myResponder app could expand to cover all HDB residential fires and include a tier to assist elderly and mobility-impaired residents during evacuations. K Shanmugam explained that the app currently activates Community First Responders for minor fires, but more serious fires are managed by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) due to safety concerns for untrained responders. In HDB fire incidents, SCDF prioritizes evacuating residents from the affected floor and two floors above, advising others to stay in place for their safety. SCDF collaborates with grassroots organizations to conduct evacuation drills for vulnerable residents.

Victor Lye raised concerns about students' social media usage trends and its impact on learning outcomes, attention span, and social development. Desmond Lee acknowledged limited social media access during school hours but indicated that a survey showed youths spend an average of 1.5 hours daily online after school. Excessive social media use has been linked to negative effects on student well-being, including reduced attention span and learning outcomes. The Ministry of Education has implemented Cyber Wellness lessons to teach students about healthy online activity, and a Positive Use Guide has been developed to assist both students and parents in managing technology use effectively.

Desmond Lee discussed Singapore's education reforms aiming to prepare citizens for future challenges by emphasizing collaboration, holistic development, and lifelong learning. The initiatives include expanding access to advanced learning modules and integrating AI literacy into the curriculum, focusing on responsible use and human values. There are plans to support disadvantaged students through increased resources and collaborative efforts with social service agencies. The Ministry of Education is also reviewing teacher recruitment and support for special education needs to ensure that all students receive equitable access to opportunities. Lastly, there is an ongoing assessment of the Primary 1 registration framework and various educational pathways to ensure inclusivity and a diverse learning environment.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned the Minister for Digital Development and Information about the projected annual electricity and water consumption for the new AI park at one-north, measuring software-level energy efficiency, and whether energy-intensity disclosures would be mandated for large-scale AI models. Josephine Teo clarified that the AI park is not a data centre and its resource consumption will align with similar technology-intensive estates. She highlighted Singapore's commitment to sustainable AI development, emphasizing resource-efficient AI as a priority. Teo mentioned ongoing efforts with the Green Software Foundation to establish methodologies for measuring software energy usage and the introduction of baseline energy efficiency standards for data centres under the upcoming Digital Infrastructure Act.